Maxim Ali has criticised the draft bill on combatting fake news and insulting authorities on Internet

Maxim Ali - Partner

General Prosecutor, Ministries of Law and Communications, Roskomnadzor and other government departments have indicatged that they do not support a draft bill to introduce criminal liability for publishing on the internet inaccurate information as well as disrespectful comments towards representatives and symbols of the authorities. The proposal has not been approved in light of its perceived technical shortcomings and loose definitions which could result in abuses of legal processes and unlawful restrictions on the constitutional rights.

Head of the IP/IT Practice at Maxima Legal, Maxim Ali provided a negative assessment of the proposed changes. In his comments to publication Advokatskaya Gazeta, Maxim noted that despite existing severe administrative penalties for sharing information and blocking a website does not provide time for the voluntary resolution of a breach. Maxim emphasised that the definition, according to which information is recognised as prohibited could also entail “other serious consequences”. “It is apparent that the norm for blocking information or, especially, issuing administrative penalties, should be formulated more precisely”, said Maxim.

To read the article in full (in Russian), please see the Advokatskaya Gazeta’s website >>>